Skidding Logs with tractor.

[BufordBoone]

Is there any affordable attachment that would make it easy to approach logs, grab them and then drag them to another location?

We had our place logged for pine and there are now a bunch of cedar trees (the loggers cut to get to the pines) that I'd like to harvest and save for future projects.

I'd bet that most are less than 18" in diameter.

I've also thought of building something to attach to the front end loader but wonder if pulling with the loader is OK or something to avoid (kind of like many say you shouldn't use rear attachments to push heavy loads.

I'm figuring I want to drag trees to a common area where I can de-limb them and put the limbs in a burn pile.

Any ideas?

 

[s219]

I use a simple skid plate for the 3-pt hitch, that lets me chain up a log (or 2) with a choker chain, lift the butt of the ground, then skid it. This one also doubles as a trailer hitch. Here's a pic on my old B2920, still using it many years later on my L3200.



Many variations on this concept, and could be rigged up fairly cheaply. Lifting the front butt of the log up off the ground is key to skidding with ease.

 

[Carl_NH]

Check this out on Amazon etc. Tool Tuff Log Tongs Amazon.com : Heavy Duty SOLID STEEL 28" 4 Claw Timber Log Lifting Logging Tongs Grabber Tong : Garden & Outdoor

One pic shows a rope attached to the tongs so you dont need to get off the tractor - which is probably the most time consuming part of the process.

 

[MF243RedTop]

I do something similar but with the boom pole, use log tongs to lift the log. Then use a chain to choke it and pull off the bottom of 3ph to move it. Avoids the aggravation of trying to get the choker chain tight enough the first few tries. Got a 2" ball welded to bottom of boom pole for this reason, also to move a trailer into woods load it and pull out.

 

[sea2summit]

I do something similar but with the boom pole, use log tongs to lift the log.

That will be my plan if I ever had land flat enough to drive the tractor all the way to the tree:hissyfit:

 

[workinonit]

If you can't get your tractor to the tree you may have to come up with a winch setup to snake them out.

 

[ericm979]

Or you can use chains or cables to pull the logs out. It's not as convenient as a winch but costs less.

 

[TnAndy]

Or you can use chains or cables to pull the logs out. It's not as convenient as a winch but costs less.

Yep.....not as handy, but a lot cheaper. IF this is something you plan to do on a regular basis (I own 70ac of woodlot, and do have to skid out firewood/saw logs on a regular basis), consider buying a tractor winch. They are extremely handy for just what you're doing.

 

[WranglerX]

Do a GOOGLE IMAGE search for "log arch"...

Dale

 

[34Willys]

Our property is not flat, so I was leery of skidding tongs on the 3 point.
I've been using a grapple on front end, and this Small Wood Lot Tools - Timber Maintenance, Pre-commercial Thinning, Firewood, Fuel Reduction skidding tong set up. The skidding tongs are safe because you adjust the lower chain length to drag the log with your draw bar, so the 3 point only lifts the log up off the ground.
I've skidded over 100 logs from 16' to 60' long. Just back up, lower the 3 point and drive off. Rarely have to get off of the tractor to hook or unhook.
Patrick